Latest news with #UArts
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
From UArts to Temple: Students graduate with creativity and resilience in Philadelphia
Bittersweet graduation for former University of the Arts students at Temple University Bittersweet graduation for former University of the Arts students at Temple University Bittersweet graduation for former University of the Arts students at Temple University Nearly a year after the University of the Arts in Philadelphia suddenly shut its doors, former students are reaching a milestone they once feared might be out of reach: graduation. Jilian Sander was among the thousands who walked at Temple University's commencement Wednesday. Just last year, she was preparing to begin her senior year as a 3D animation major at UArts. "I've just been more appalled as time goes by because we still haven't gotten answers as to how this happened, why this happened," Sander said. In June 2024, CBS News Philadelphia first met Sander at a rally on the steps of Hamilton Hall. "We're here to advocate for ourselves and tell everyone that we're worth saving," she said at the time. "I just want to graduate with the people I've worked with for three years." That fight to keep the school open didn't succeed. UArts filed for bankruptcy last fall, and former leadership has not clarified how the school's finances unraveled so quickly. Students were given just seven days' notice before the closure. Sander was one of about 350 former and prospective UArts students who transferred to Temple. On Wednesday, she celebrated commencement alongside her new classmates, many of whom found ways to honor their former school with decorated graduation caps and quiet nods to the creative community they came from. CBS News Philadelphia "I'm really glad it's done," said Stevie Reynolds, a former UArts student. "It's done now — I feel relieved. I feel ten pounds lighter!" "I feel great," Sophia Palese said. "It's such a great community — we've become such a nice group." Someone even came dressed as a UArts mascot — a unicorn — to cheer on students once they walked across the stage. Though these students are moving forward as Temple Owls, they carry with them the bonds and creativity born from the first university that shaped them.
Axios
17-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
All of Philly's former UArts buildings have sold: What's next
The fire sale for the University of the Arts' real estate portfolio in Center City has wrapped up. Why it matters: The new owners of the nine prized buildings are reimagining the city's central business and arts hub and ushering in new commercial and residential spaces. State of play: The final available UArts building, Gershman Hall, sold in Delaware's U.S. Bankruptcy Court this month. DSA 401 Lifetime LLC purchased the former theater and learning space at 401-11 S. Broad St. for more than $6.7 million, per court documents. The intrigue: It's unclear what the Delaware-based LLC is planning for the building, which is located between Suzanne Roberts Theatre and the Kimmel Center. The company is connected to Philly-based real estate investment firm Lubert-Adler. A lawyer for DSA 401 declined Axios' request for comment; Lubert-Adler did not return calls seeking comment. The big picture: The sales are an encouraging sign for Center City's expansion and renaissance, Drexel University economist Kevin Gillen tells Axios. "The repurposing, reuse and redeployment of historic properties to updated uses is not only the kind of socially conscious development that Philadelphia is well positioned for, it is also the kind that Philadelphia can serve as an example of," he added. Here's what's coming for the eight other buildings sold during the bankruptcy. 🖼️ Hamilton Hall: The Greek Revival-style building with large columns on Broad Street is expected to house an affordable arts studio, workshop and gallery spaces. A restaurant there is also possible. 🏠 Furness Hall: The former UArts dormitory behind Hamilton Hall is likely to become affordable artist apartments. Scout, the design firm that repurposed South Philly's Bok Building, owns both Furness and Hamilton Halls. 🥤Anderson Hall: The nine-story building at 329-335 S. Broad St. is expected to become apartments, with food retail on the ground floor, as well as artist spaces or offices, per the Inquirer. Dwight City Group, a New York-based commercial real estate company, paid $8.5 million for the property. 🎓 Terra Hall: The 17-story building at 211 S. Broad St. is expected to house Temple University Center City, which offers adult learning and enrichment. Temple University bought the building, the largest among the UArts buildings up for bid, for $18 million. 🛍️ Arts Bank: The four-story building at 601 S. Broad St. could have commercial space on the ground level with residential units above, per WHYY. Delaware-based Quadro Bay LLC purchased the building for $2.71 million. 🎷 Art Alliance: Curtis Institute of Music is expected to turn this Rittenhouse building into a space for music-related rehearsals and workshops, as well as administrative needs. The institute bought the building for $7.6 million.
Axios
04-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
You could help repurpose UArts' former Hamilton and Furness Halls
The new owner of the historic Hamilton and Furness Halls along South Broad Street is seeking the public's help in redeveloping the ex- University of the Arts buildings. Why it matters: Scout, the design firm that repurposed South Philly's Bok building, wants to reinvent the spaces to serve Philadelphians, with a focus on the arts and affordability. Driving the news: Scout is inviting Philadelphians to invest in and support the new project in the heart of Center City. Via a survey on its website, the company is trying to connect with people who want to offer their expertise or share information about how to donate to the space. Scout is also using it to reach artists and small businesses interested in the project. 📐 State of play: Scout already has a general plan for the two buildings, Everett Abitbol, the company's director of development, tells Axios. Hamilton Hall: The Greek Revival-style building with large columns on South Broad Street is expected to house an affordable studio, workshop and gallery spaces. A restaurant there is also possible. Furness Hall: The former UArts dormitory behind Hamilton Hall is likely to become affordable artist apartments. By the numbers: Project costs are projected to be $13 million–$18 million. 👀 Interest has been high; the company has received more than 590 completed surveys as of Monday. Catch up quick: Scout paid nearly $12.5 million for the two buildings in the UArts bankruptcy proceedings last week, with help from an anonymous donor at the 11th hour. The emergency loan allowed the company to offer the highest bids for the two halls, but it must be repaid within 60 days. The company is exploring how to raise funds for the redevelopment, which could include a crowdfunding campaign. Closing on the properties is set for March 17. Context: Scout has a history of creatively reviving historic buildings. The Bok Building was a former school that the company helped turn into a haven for artists, businesses and workspaces. Its eighth floor houses Sicilian restaurant Irwin's and the seasonal outdoor Bok Bar. What they're saying:"To deliver this at this location and give folks access to a space like this, to continue the creative and cultural production work that we think is really vital to the city, has been the most important thing for us," Abitbol says. What's next: Company leaders are expected to reveal more details about the development of the sites in April, Abitbol said.
